Barrel lift mechanism



Mamh 167 D. R. CHENAULT BARREL LIFT MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMarch 19, 1965 INVENTOR. l%ewdzzfz F I j v nl/s.

Mamh 3967 D. R. CHENAULT BARREL LIFT MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledMarch 19, 1965 United States Patent 3,310,336 BARREL LEFT MECHANISMDavid Robert Chenanlt, Jackson, Micl1., assignor to Union Steel ProductsCompany Filed Mar. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 441,232 Claims. (Cl. 294-90) Thisinvention relates generally to a device for lifting objects having aflange at one end thereof such as boxes, barrels, or the like and moreparticularly to a lifting device that is particularly adapted to use inthe lifting of objects having relatively weak or flexible side wallsreinforced by end flanges.

It is well known to provide a lifting device that grips a barrel, box orother similar container by one of its end flanges so that the containermay be transported from place to place. Handling may be facilitated byattaching the lifting device to a fork or lift truck. Such a liftingdevice is shown in United States Patent Number 3,042,241, entitled,Barrel Lift Mechanism, issued July 3, 1962, and assigned to the assigneeof this invention. The barrel lift mechanism shown in the aforementionedpatent is particularly adapted for use in lifting containers havingrelatively rigid walls. Frequently containers such as fiber drums or thelike are provided with relatively unrigid walls or fragile walls thatare edged by rigid flanges or chimes. Such containers cannot besubjected to impact forces or lifting forces through their sides withoutthe possibility of rupturing the sides. It is most convenient, however,if the lifting device will automatically engage itself to the container.

It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide alifting device for containers having relatively fragile walls.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a lifting device fora container that may be carried by a fork truck or the like and which isautomatically engageable with the container without necessitating anymanual latching operation.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a liftingdevice that may accommodate containers of varying heights and sizes.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a grippingmechanism for engaging a flange of a container that is simple yetautomatic in operation.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention are achieved by a liftmechanism having a frame structure including an upstanding member. Theupstanding member has a forwardly directed contact surface thereonadapted to contact the side of the object to be lifted contiguous to itslower end. A lat-ch device is provided for gripping a flange at theupper end of the lifted object. Means are provided for adjustablycoupling the latch device to the frame for accommodating objects ofvarying heights.

A latch device embodying this invention comprises a pair ofinterengaging jaws that are adapted to grip the flange of the liftedobject. The jaws are normally biased for movement into an open position.One of the jaws is adapted to engage one side of the flange and issupported for movement from its open position to a gripping positionupon engagement with the flange side. Motion transmitting means transmitmotion of the one jaw into movement of the other jaw from its open to agripping position for engaging the flange between the jaws upon contactthereof with the one jaw.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a lift mechanism embodying thisinvention and in engagement with a container;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged elevational view taken generally in thedirection of the arrows 2-2 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 2and shows the jaws of the latch device in their gripping position;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view, in part similar to FIGURE 3, showingthe jaws in their open position;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;and

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 66 of FIGURE 5.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and in particular to FIGURE 1, afiber barrel or drum is indicated generally by the reference numeral 11.The flber barrel or drum 11 has side walls that are formed from arelatively unrigid fiber material reinforced at their upper end by ahoop-like flange or chime 12. A barrel lift device embodying thisinvention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 13-. Thebarrel lift device is adapted to be attached to a fork 14 of a lifttruck (not shown) or other similar mobile supporting member.

The lifting device 13 includes a frame comprised of a base 15, which maybe of generally channel shaped configuration for receipt upon the fork14. A latch mechanism 16 of any known type is provided upon the base 15for locking the lifting device 13 relative to the fork 14. An upstandingframe member 17 extends vertically from the base 15 and has a pair ofspaced-apart structural angles 18 and 19. The angles 18 and 19 havefacing leg portions 21 and 22, respectively, that are integrallyconnected to leg portions 23 and 24 that face the barrel 11 or any othercontainer which may be lifted. A plurality of aligned apertures 25 areformed in each of the legs 21 and 22 for a purpose which will becomeapparent as this description proceeds.

A contact member 26 is aflixed to the lower ends of the legs 23 and 24of the angles 18 and 19 and to the base 15. The contact member 26 may bear-cuate in shape or have any shape that is complementary to the loweredge of the container to be lifted. The contact member 26 has suflioientheight and area to spread the lifting load upon the [lower end of thecontainer 11 over a sufficient area to prevent rupture of the side wallsof the container.

A latch device, indicated generally by the reference numeral 27, isprovided for gripping the flange or chime 12 to restrain and to lift theupper end of the container 11. The latch device 27 comprises a housingincluding side plates 28 and 29. A top spacer block 31 and a bottomspacer block 32 are welded to the side plate 29. The side plate 28 isaffixed to the spacer blocks 31 and 32 by a plurality of bolts 33 thatare threaded into tapped holes 34 formed in the spacer blocks 31 and 32.

An upper jaw 35 is pivotally supported by the housing by means of apivot pin 36 that extends between and is supported in the side plates 28and 29. A lower jaw 37 is pivoted upon a pivot pin 38 that is, in turn,affixed to the forward end of a pair of lower jaw arms 39. The lower jawarms 39 are pivoted upon a pivot pin 41 that extends between and isaflixed to the side plates 28 and 29. The lower jaw 37 has an inwardlyextending portion 42 that is adapted to engage the underside of thepivot pin 41 under certain conditions, as will become apparent as thisdescription proceeds. The lower jaw arms 39 embrace the lower jaw 37 andare affixed together at their inner ends, as at 43.

One end of each of a pair of links 44 is pivotally connected by a pivotpin 45 to the lower jaw arms 39 on each side thereof and adjacent to theconnection 43. The other ends of the links 44 are pivotally connected,by a pivot pin 46, to the inner end of the upper jaw 35. A coil tensionspring 47 is affixed at its lower end, by means of a r .3 hook 48, to anaperture within the lower jaw portion 42. The opposite end of the spring47 is afiixed to a pin 49 that is aflixed to the links 44 between theirends.

The coil tension spring 47 normally creates a tension upon the links 44that causes them to pivot in a counterclockwise direction about the pin45 as viewed in FIG- URE 4. The counterclockwise rotation of the links44 exerts a downward force upon the inner end of the upper jaw 35 torotate it in a clockwise direction until the upper end of the upper jaw35 contacts the upper spacer block 31. The forces acting upon the lowerjaw arms 39 and the lower jaw 37 through the spring 47 are such thatthese elements will also rotate in a counterclockwise direction untilstopped by the contact of the upper jaw 35 with the spacer block 31. Itwill be noted that the gripping end of the jaw 35 is concealed in thisposition by a pair of outwardly extending projections 51 formed on theside plates 28 and 29. FIGURE 4 shows the jaws 35 and 37 in their openor disengaged position.

If it is desired to raise a container 11, the fork truck or other devicethat is supporting the barrel lifting mechanism 13 is advanced towardthe container 11. The upper surface of the lower jaw 37 should bepositioned below the flange 12 for the proper operation of the latchdevice 27. If the jaw 37 contacts the side of the flange 12 or a sidewall of the container 11, it may pivot in a clockwise direction aboutthe pivot pin 38 so that the portion 42 moves away from the pivot pin 41and the spring 47 is tensioned. This movement of the lower jaw 37insures that it will .not pierce the side of the container 11. If thelower jaw 37 is above the container and the forks 14 are lowered, thejaw will slide along the container until it registers with a recess 52(FIGURE 3) in the side of the container 11 below the flange 12. Whenthis occurs, the tension of the spring 47 will cause the lower jaw 37 topivot to the position shown in FIGURE 4. The force of the weight of thecontainer 11 acting through the flange 12 on the upper surface of thelower jaw 37 as a result of the lifting of the forks 14, causes thelower jaw 37 to tend to pivot in a counterclockwise direction about itspivot pin 38. If the portion 42 is in engagement with the pivot pin 41,this pivotal movement of the jaw 37 with regard to the lower jaw arms 39is not possible. The force exerted upon the lower jaw 37, therefore,causes the lower jaw 37 and the lower jaw arms 39 to pivot as a unit ina counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 41. Thiscounterclockwise rotation exerts a force through the links 44 upon theupper jaw 35 to rotate it in a counterclockwise direction about itssupporting pivot pin 36. The counterclockwise rotation of the jawscontinues until the lower jaw 37 contacts a lower jaw stop block 52 thatis aflixed to the lower spacer block 32 (FIGURE 3). When this occurs,the jaws 35 and 37 will be in engagement with opposite sides of theflange 12 to grippingly engage it between them and, therefore, cause thecontainer 11 to be lifted.

When lifting containers have relatively unrigid sides, it is necessarythat the container be engaged contiguous to both its upper and lowersurfaces in the areas of the flanges 12. To accomplish this result andto accommodate containers of varying heights, the latch device 27 isadjustably positioned between the arms 21 and 22 of the angles 18 and19. As has been noted, aligned apertures 25 are positioned in the arms21 and 22. A corresponding aperture 53 extends through the side plates28 and 29 and the upper spacer block 31 of the latch assembly 27. Asimilar aperture 54 is formed in the lower spacer block 32 and sideplates 28 and 29. The spacing between the apertures 53 and 54corresponds to the spacing between a pair of apertures 25 in the legs 21and 22 although the apertures in the legs 21 and 22 need not be adjacentapertures.

A pair of lock pins 55 are provided having offset handle portions 56 forlocking the latch device 27 with respect to the frame member 17. Theends of the lock pins are extended through the apertures 25 in the arms'21 and 22 and the apertures 53 and 54 in the latch device 27. Cotterkeys 57 are provided to prevent disengagement of the lock pins 55 fromthe respective apertures.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the exactconstruction shown and described, which is exemplarly of only apreferred embodiment of the intion, but that various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A mechanism for lifting objects having a flange at the peripherythereof comprising a housing, a first jaw assembly supported for pivotalmovement about a first pivot axis by said housing, a second jaw assemblysupported for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis by saidhousing, means biasing said jaw assemblies for pivotal movement in afirst direction about said axes to an open position, said first jawassembly having a gripping portion adapted to engage one side of theflange and being pivoted in a second direction opposite to said firstdirection under the influence of lifting forces exerted through theflange from its open position to a gripping position, and linkage meansconnecting said first jaw assembly to said second jaw assembly forpivoting said second jaw assembly from its open to a gripping positionupon pivotal movement of said first jaw assembly in said seconddirection to grip the flange between said jaw assemblies, said linkagemeans providing for free movement of said gripping portion of said firstjaw assembly in a direction opposite to said second direction withoutaccompanying movement of said second jaw assembly upon contact of saidgripping portion of said first jaw assembly with a side of the object tobe lifted to prevent perforation of the side by said first jaw assembly.

2. A mechanism for lifting objects having a flange at the peripherythereof comprising a housing, a lever supported for pivotal movementabout a first pivot axis by said housing, a first jaw supported forpivotal movement about a second pivot axis upon said lever, a second jawsupported for pivotal movement about a third pivot axis by said housing,a link pivotally connected to said lever and to said second jaw, saidfirst jaw having a portion thereof adapted to engage the portion of saidhousing defining said first pivot axis for simultaneous pivotal movementof said first jaw and said lever about said first axis in a firstdirection and for permitting pivotal movement of said first jaw withrespect to said lever about said second pivotal axis in a seconddirection and biasing means for pivoting said jaws into an openposition, said jaws being pivotal from said open position to a grippingposition upon the engagement of said first jaw with a lower edge of theflange for gripping the flange between said aws.

3. In a mechanism for lifting objects having a flange at the upper endthereof and adapted for mounting on a mobile supporting member, thecombination comprising a frame including an upstanding member having aforwardly directed contact surface thereon adapted to contact a side ofan object to be lifted contiguous to a lower edge thereof, a grippingdevice for gripping the flange of the object to be lifted, said grippingdevice comprising a housing, a lever supported for pivotal movementabout a first pivot axis by said housing, a first jaw supported forpivotal movement about a second pivot axis upon said lever, a second jawsupported for pivotal movement about a third pivot axis by said housing,a link pivotally connected to said lever and to said second jaw, saidfirst jaw having a portion thereof adapted to engage the portion of saidhousing defining said first pivot axis for simultaneous pivotal movementof said first jaw and said lever about said first axis in a firstdirection and for permitting pivotal movement of said first jaw withrespect to said lever about said second pivotal axis in a seconddirection and biasing means for pivoting said jaws into an openposition, said jaws being pivotal from said open position to a grippingposition upon the engagement of said first jaw with a lower edge of theflange for gripping the flange between said jaws, and means adjustablyaffixing said gripping device to said upstanding member foraccommodating objects of different heights.

4. A mechanism for lifting objects having a flange at the peripherythereof comprising a housing, a pair of jaw assemblies for grippinglyengaging the flange, means supporting said jaw assemblies for pivotalmovement with respect to said housing, means biasing said jaw assembliesfor movement into an open position, means on said housing for shieldingone of said jaw assemblies when said jaw assemblies are in the openposition, the other of said jaw assemblies having a gripping portionadapted to engage one side of the flange and being pivoted in a firs-tdirection upon the exertion of lifting forces therethrough, and motiontransmitting means for transmitting pivotal movement of the other ofsaid jaw assemblies in said first direction into movement of said onejaw assembly from its open to a gripping position for engagement of theflange between said jaw assemblies, said motion transmitting meansproviding for pivotal movement of said gripping portion of said otherjaw assembly in a direction opposite to said first direction withoutresulting movement of said one jaw assembly upon contact of said otherjaw assembly with a side wall of the lifted object for precludingperforation of the wall by said other jaw assembly.

5. A mechanism for lifting objects having a flange at the peripherythereof comprising a housing, a first jaw assembly supported for pivotalmovement about a first pivot axis by said housing, a second jaw assemblysupported for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis by saidhousing, said first jaw assembly having a gripping portion for engagingone side of the flange for pivotal movement upon engagement therewithfrom an open position to a gripping position, linkage meansinterconnecting said first jaw assembly to said second jaw assembly forpivoting said second jaw assembly from its open position to a grippingposition upon pivotal movement of said first jaw assembly from its openposition to its gripping position to grip the flange between its jaws,said gripping portion of said first jaw assembly being supported formovement from its open position to a displaced position withoutaccompanying movement of said second jaw assembly upon contact of saidfirst jaw assembly with a side of the object to be lifted to preventperforation of the side by said first jaw assembly, and single biasingspring means for urging said first and second jaw assemblies to theiropen position and for retaining said gripping portion of said first jawassembly in its open position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1954 Ericson214653 6/1961 Wallace 294--106 X FOREIGN PATENTS 825,492 12/1959 GreatBritain.

1. A MECHANISM FOR LIFTING OBJECTS HAVING A FLANGE AT THE PERIPHERYTHEREOF COMPRISING A HOUSING, A FIRST JAW ASSEMBLY SUPPORTED FOR PIVOTALMOVEMENT ABOUT A FIRST PIVOT AXIS BY SAID HOUSING, A SECOND JAW ASSEMBLYSUPPORTED FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A SECOND PIVOT AXIS BY SAIDHOUSING, MEANS BIASING SAID JAW ASSEMBLIES FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT IN AFIRST DIRECTION ABOUT SAID AXES TO AN OPEN POSITION, SAID FIRST JAWASSEMBLY HAVING A GRIPPING PORTION ADAPTED TO ENGAGE ONE SIDE OF THEFLANGE AND BEING PIVOTED IN A SECOND DIRECTION OPPOSITE TO SAID FIRSTDIRECTION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF LIFTING FORCES EXERTED THROUGH THEFLANGE FROM ITS OPEN POSITION TO A GRIPPING POSITION, AND LINKAGE MEANSCONNECTING SAID FIRST JAW ASSEMBLY TO SAID SECOND JAW ASSEMBLY FORPIVOTING SAID SECOND JAW ASSEMBLY FROM ITS OPEN TO A GRIPPING POSITIONUPON PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST JAW ASSEMBLY IN SAID SECONDDIRECTION TO GRIP THE FLANGE BETWEEN SAID JAW ASSEMBLIES, SAID LINKAGEMEANS PROVIDING FOR FREE MOVEMENT OF SAID GRIPPING PORTION OF SAID FIRSTJAW ASSEMBLY IN A DIRECTION OPPOSITE TO SAID SECOND DIRECTION WITHOUTACCOMPANYING MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND JAW ASSEMBLY UPON CONTACT OF SAIDGRIPPING PORTION OF SAID FIRST JAW ASSEMBLY WITH A SIDE OF THE OBJECT TOBE LIFTED TO PREVENT PERFORATION OF THE SIDE BY SAID FIRST JAW ASSEMBLY.